INTRODUCING: OYUNA

Founded in 2002 by Mongolian textile designer Oyuna Tserendorj and David Bernasconi, Oyuna puts the appreciation of Mongolian cashmere and its country of origin, Mongolia, at the heart of the brand’s DNA. A company launched offering home and accessories collections, organically evolved to include womenswear, in 2009, and accessories collections, in 2013. The brand has also worked on commissions for world-famous houses the likes of Calvin Klein, Goyard and Monocle among others, and is currently preparing to celebrate their 15th anniversary. We caught up with founder and creative director Oyuna Tserendorj to discuss expanding their collections, working particularly with Mongolian cashmere and future plans.

What is your background and how did you find yourself working as a fashion designer?

I’m a Mongolian-born London-based designer specializing in cashmere. Growing up with cashmere in Mongolia and having been always drawn to art and drawing, I ended up as a fashion designer in London.

You have built up quite a reputation for your homeware collections. What prompted the launch of your womenswear and – after that – accessories line?

After launching successful home and accessories collections, it was a natural step to expand to womenswear, where more innovative techniques and experiments with shapes could be done.

There is a common aesthetic underpinning all collections. Tell us about this decision.

Timeless experiments in shape and color, with cashmere as a medium.

You mainly work with Mongolian cashmere; would you say that it is just as popular as the other types available the market in the mind of the consumer, so as to choose it over them?

Being Mongolian, I can’t imagine working with any other cashmere – especially given the fact that it is really the best quality out there. There are no shortcuts. Pristine nature of Mongolia and amazing nomads taking care of free roaming goats play a great role in it.

Do you use the same materials for all collections?

We use a variety of materials besides cashmere, like cotton, silk, linen or latest high-tech paper hybrid paper etc. We are sourcing more and more sustainable, natural but cool materials.

Do you target the same markets for all your lines?

Yes.

Is it challenging selling cashmere products during the spring/summer months?